[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 13 Mar 1824 - Cumberland Spring Assizes (24)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 13 Mar 1824   (p. 1, col. 5 - p. 4, col. 5, and p. 1, col. 4)

 

CUMBERLAND SPRING ASSIZES. 

 

CROWN CALENDAR. 

 

[continued] 

 

STEALING FROM THE PERSON. 

 

SARAH BIRD, aged 27, and ANN HARRISON, 22, were arraigned on a charge of stealing from the person of a young sea-faring Gallant of
Whitehaven, a silver watch, two gold seals, a gold key, snuff box, pocket-book, two printed books, pen-knife, and a
silk-handkerchief, the whole contents of his pockets. 

 

The entrance of the prisoners, who are notorious characters, was the signal for all the ladies in Court to retire. BIRD was
dashingly dressed for the occasion in a purple pelisse and straw bonnet, and exhibited all the non-chalance of an incurable
prostitute. HARRISON was neither so smart nor so brazen: she appeared at the bar in tears. 

 

On being called upon for their plea, BIRD said, "Sarah BIRD guilty; Ann HARRISON, not guilty: I am guilty: he (the prosecutor) was
with me, and used me as he liked, and I had his seals." 

 

The Judge told BIRD that no advantage would result to her from pleading guilty, and his Lordship therefore advised her to consider a
little. 

 

BIRD-(impudently)-Well, I will plead not guilty, then; I don't know why I should plead Guilty! 

 

Mr. PATTESON appeared for the prosecution; and having detailed the heads of what he intended to offer in poof [sic] of the charge,
the learned gentleman called the plundered prosecutor, who deposed as follows:-I reside at Whitehaven. On the 20th of January last,
I met the prisoner BIRD, a little after ten at night, in King-street, in that town. I went home with her to her house, situate in
Mount Pleasant, and saw the two prisoners there, and two other women. I had on my person, a silver watch, snuff box, pocket-book,
pen-knife, and two small volumes-one, Percy Anecdotes,* the other, Thomson's Seasons. I had two gold seals to the watch. I am sure I
had these things on my person when I went into the house. I did not stop more than half an hour. All the women went away when I
entered, except the prisoners at the bar: they were there all the time, and Sarah BIRD in particular. I did not miss any of my
things while I was in the house; but immediately on leaving it. Sarah BIRD quitted the house with me-and I missed the articles
before she left me. I charged her with the theft, and she denied it. There was but one room in the house; I sat on the bed, but I
did not take off my clothes. Sarah Bird * * * *. The watch and seal were in my fob, and all the rest of the articles were in my coat
pocket. I gave information to a police officer. 

 

Mr. Justice HOLROYD.-The things might have got out of your pockets by themselves? 

 

Prosecutor.-O think not, my Lord. 

 

Judge.-Are you sure of it? 

 

Prosecutor.-As sure, my Lord, as a man can be of such a fact. He added, in answer to another question, that he was sober. 

 

The Judge asked BIRD if she had any questions to propose. 

 

BIRD.-(Laughing, and screwing up her mouth with an air of the most impudent assurance)-My Lord, be so good as to ask him if he did
not take two gold seals out of his pocket and lay them upon the bed? 

 

Prosecutor said he did not. 

 

BIRD.-Please, my Lord, to ask him if he did not give them to me for the use of my body? 

 

Prosecutor.-It is not true: I paid her for that. 

 

BIRD.-He was once with me in Bridge-street, in Fiddler's-court, and then he did as he liked with me, and gave me nothing. 

 

This the prosecutor also denied. 

 

BIRD.-My Lord, I wish to have him asked, then, what he did pay me? 

 

Prosecutor.-I gave her 2s., and she took the liberty of taking two more out of my pocket. 

 

Judge.-Do you mean to say you were perfectly sober? 

 

Prosecutor.-Yes, my Lord. 

 

His Lordship then produced the amorous tar's deposition before the magistrates at Whitehaven, in which he had stated, that though he
was not perfectly sober, he very well knew what he was about. 

 

Judge.-How do you account for this? 

 

Prosecutor said he considered himself sober when he knew what he was about. He had only taken four gill glasses of ale. He did not
examine whether he had the watch while he was in the house; but was sure he had it when he entered. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

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